The world of anime and manga mourns the creator of the Dragon Ball series

Akira Toriyama, the Japanese creator of perhaps the most recognizable manga Dragon Ball, has died at the age of 68. He is said to have died on March 1, the reason being acute subdural hematoma, which is usually the result of a head injury.

Young and old fans are paying tribute to the legendary creator online, who thanks to him were able to learn about a completely new concept of literary work. The sad news was announced by Bird Studio, which was founded by Akira Toriyama in 1983.

"We deeply regret that, due to his untimely death, we will not be able to see all the works he had planned," the studio wrote in a statement.

Dragon Ball, all spin-offs and sequels are his most iconic work. 1984 introduced the young protagonist Son Goku on paper for the first time, who can still be followed today. Goku is a young warrior who has saved the Earth every step of the way over the years on behalf of his family and friends. From lowly villains such as the mercenary Tao, Picollo, the Red Ribbon Army, Goku soon moved his adventures to outer space and continued his mission in the name of good.

Of course, in the meantime he didn't forget the excitement that every Saiyan warrior feels when fighting. Just as Goku met new friends along the way and also converted villains to the side of good with his humor and kindness, so have we connected as his fans.

A community of global proportions was created, and the influence of Akira Toriyama and his unusual protagonist can also be felt in the works of other authors who started their authorial journey precisely because of the Japanese creator.

Because of him, the JPRG gaming genre came to life. He participated in the development of the legendary gaming franchise - Dragon Quest - and its style of play is still popular today. It wasn't the first JRPG game, there were Dragon Slayer, Hydlide, Black Onyx and the like before it, but it was undoubtedly one of the first to introduce this genre to a wider audience. He also consulted on the game Chrono Trigger.

Akira Toriyama began his journey at the tender age of 23, but at first met with the disapproval of studios and publishers. Wonder Island and Wonder Island 2 were not hits, but two years later, the comic story about a robot girl who explored the world around her (Dr Slump) took over the public. The story was so successful that it ran for the next four years in the famous Weekly Shōnen Jump and earned him the Shogakukan Award, the highest honor that can befall a manga writer.

His legacy is immortal. Goku and company are still winning hearts all over the world today. But for sure, at least one episode, movie or game in which Akira Toriyama participated will be playing on screens everywhere today.

Below you can watch the trailer for the continuation of the Dragon Ball series.